Thames Path Route News
Following heavy downpours at the end of September, much of the Thames Path was out of action for most of October. But a dry November had opened it up again with the Path being clear from Source to Oxford. Realistically this is unlikely to last following Storm Bert which lashed our island over the last two days. So keep an eye on our route alerts page. As we’re not on the Path much at the moment, much of this input comes from members of our Thames Path Walkers Facebook Group, many of whom take day walks.
It’s worth noting that Ten Foot Bridge, which crosses the Thames shortly downstream from Tadpole Bridge, has been closed for some months. The Thames Path does not go over the bridge so, strictly speaking, it should have no impact. However, if you’re planning a circular walk involving a crossing of Ten Foot Bridge, you’ll be disappointed.
Between Richmond and Kew a section of the embankment has collapsed into the river. There is no way around meaning that section of the Path is temporarily closed. We advise you to follow the left bank through Isleworth and Brentford. However, development work is ongoing at the Grand Union Canal in Brentford with the Path being blocked. This can be avoided by skipping the walk along the canal and following Brentford High Street instead.
We were able to spend a little time on the Path in London, specifically checking on the area around Battersea Power Station. The Path remains blocked immediately downstream of the power station with more residential development taking place as well as the temporary “Tideway” project which is the new super sewer. There are no diversion signs in place. However, it’s not that difficult to find your way. You just follow the roads as close to the river as possible. We’ll put some advice on our route alerts page in due course.
Long-standing diversions:
Just downstream from St Johns Lock (past Lechlade) another wooden footbridge with the exotic name of Bloomer’s Hole is deemed unsafe and is to be repaired. There is a small diversion using the pre-existing Thames Path Alternative. It briefly follows the road to Kelmscott, past the caravan park on your left, taking a footpath to your right which rejoins the Thames on the left bank just across from the bridge.
Benson Weir is still closed. The ferry is only operating at weekends. Work is underway to repair the weir.
There is a new diversion to avoid the closed boardwalk at Marsh Lock Henley. This starts at Shiplake and takes you briefly into the Chilterns. The diversion adds an extra 1.0 miles to the walk although feedback that we’ve received is that it feels much longer! But, bear in mind that the distance from Shiplake to Henley is already 2.4 miles. So the diversion is therefore 3.4 miles in total.
The diversion at Temple Bridge is still in place following its closure.
And damage to a bridge over a tributary has caused a diversion from just past the Runnymede Hotel to shortly before Staines. The diversion uses the A308 (pavements) returning the walker to the riverbank just before the bridge at Staines. The diversion replaces about 0.6 miles of the route with minimal added distance. The diversion is set to be in place until 2026. The signage for this diversion is not that obvious. Also note that you might find that the barricades preventing you getting onto the bridge have been removed. If so, this will have been unauthorised.
For a full list please see our route alerts page on the website. | 
